Quality Matters: Sibling Relationships and Friendship Nominations Among Adolescents

• In Event: 238 - Regular Session. Children/Youth/Adolescents

Abstract

Several recent studies suggest that individuals exhibit better social skills if raised with siblings. This pattern has been demonstrated among kindergartners and again among adults, but oddly is less consistent among adolescents. Analyzing 1,662 youths from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we replicate what others have found—no association between the number of siblings and the number of friendship nominations received by peers. But we expand on previous research by exploring how the quality of sibling relationships is related to friendship nominations. Here we find clear evidence that positive sibling relationships are associated with more peer nominations. This study contributes to the growing evidence that sibling relationships shape individuals’ ability to form and maintain relationships with others outside of the family.

Authors

• Deniz Yucel, William Paterson University

• Donna Bobbitt-Zeher, The Ohio State University